“How long should it last?” That’s a question we ask when we buy pretty much anything. Below we provide some estimates of how some common household products should last. A few caveats:
- These are estimates and results can vary widely.
- To make sure you know when a product’s useful life may end, you need to know when it began. So save receipts and keep a record. On some items, such as your furnace or AC unit, you can actually tape the purchase date on the unit.
- If you don’t take care of the items (annual maintenance, cleaning, etc.), they won’t last as long.
|
Item |
Estimated Life |
|
Appliances |
|
|
Refrigerators |
9-13 years |
|
Electric range |
13-15 years |
|
Gas oven |
10-18 years |
|
Gas stove |
15-17 years |
|
Dishwasher |
9-10 years |
|
Microwave |
9 years |
|
Washing machine |
5-15 years |
|
Dryer |
12-13 years |
|
HVAC |
|
|
Central air conditioner |
15 years |
|
Window unit air conditioner |
8-12 years |
|
Furnace |
15 years |
|
Heat pump |
10-15 years |
|
Boiler |
30 years |
|
Electric radiant heater |
30 years |
|
Plumbing |
|
|
Kitchen sinks (enamel cast iron) |
50 years |
|
Kitchen faucets |
15 years |
|
Bathroom shower enclosures |
40 years |
|
Showerheads |
Lifetime |
|
Shower doors |
20 years |
|
Toilets |
Unlimited (parts will wear out) |
|
Whirlpool tubs |
20-30 years |
|
Water heater (tank) |
6-12 years |
|
Water heater (tankless) |
20 years |
|
Electrical, lighting |
|
|
Copper plated wiring, co and safetypper clad aluminum and bare copper wiring |
Lifetime |
|
Electrical accessories and lighting controls |
10+ years |
|
Smoke alarms |
9 years |
|
Fire extinguisher |
10 years |
|
Cabinets and countertops |
|
|
Kitchen cabinets |
50 years |
|
Medicine cabinets |
20 years |
|
Bathroom cabinets |
Lifetime |
|
Cultured marble countertops |
20 years |
|
Natural stone countertops |
Lifetime |
|
Exterior |
|
|
Roof (asphalt shingles – 3-tab) |
20 years |
|
Roof (asphalt shingles – architectural) |
30 years |
|
Roof (metal) |
40-80 years |
|
Roof (wood) |
25 years |
|
Roof (slate) |
60-150 years |
|
Siding |
30 years (power wash annually to extend life) |
|
Garage door openers |
10-15 years |
|
Deck |
20 – 35 years (can vary based on climate; sealing will extend life) |
|
Sprinkler system |
20 years |
|
Windows and doors |
|
|
Aluminum windows |
15-20 years |
|
Wooden windows |
30 years + |
|
Exterior fiberglass, steel and wood doors |
Lifetime |
|
Vinyl doors |
20 years |
|
French doors |
30-50 years |
|
Screen doors |
40 years |
|
Closet doors |
Lifetime |
